LUXEMBOURG & SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2015--
As the prices of High Definition (HD) satellite set-top boxes have
become more affordable in Asia, larger numbers of viewers are demanding
and switching over to HD services. With Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV
platforms in Thailand expected to add more than 2.5 million new
subscribers in the next 10 years, Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), the leading
global provider of satellite services, today announced that Next Step, a
multi-channel operator and distributor, is leveraging Intelsat’s
satellite solutions on Horizons 2 at 85º E to launch a new Free-to-Air
DTH platform in Thailand.
Under its multi-year agreement with Intelsat, Next Step is utilizing
Ku-band capacity on Horizons 2 to diversify its business offerings --
moving from content provider to platform operator through its new
Freeview HD platform, a platform positioned to serve an addressable
market of approximately 67 million people. Given Intelsat’s global,
flexible fleet, Horizons 2 was moved to the 85º E orbital location and
its beam repositioned to enable Next Step to capitalize on the
opportunity to support the HD trend in Thailand.
“The breadth and depth of Intelsat’s global satellite solutions provide
a perfect complement to help expand and diversify our business,” said
Philipp Heussen, Head of Freeview HD. “By partnering with Intelsat, we
will be able to quickly and cost-effectively launch a DTH platform that
will enable us to meet the demand for more affordable, high-quality HD
content in the region. As a result, viewers across Thailand will have
access to a greater variety of entertaining and educational content,
regardless of whether they reside in the city or in more remote
communities in the country.”
“Intelsat is a leading provider of satellite services for DTH operators,
delivering programming to over 31 million subscribers and supporting
more than 30 DTH platforms around the world,” stated Terry Bleakley,
Regional Vice President, Asia Pacific Sales, Intelsat. “Throughout our
history, Intelsat has incorporated the latest technology to enable our
media customers to differentiate their service offerings and grow their
businesses. We look forward to working closely with Next Step to ensure
the seamless migration to HD as they launch their Freeview HD platform
and distribute new and compelling content to Thailand.”
Supporting Resources:
About Intelsat
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) is the world’s leading provider of satellite
services, delivering high performance connectivity solutions for media,
fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure, enterprise and government and
military applications. Intelsat’s satellite, teleport and fiber
infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for
transmissions of video and broadband services. From the globalization of
content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular
networks and mobile broadband access, with Intelsat, envision your
future network, connect using our leading satellite technology and
transform your opportunities. Envision...Connect...Transform...with
Intelsat. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.
About Next Step’s Freeview HD Platform
Freeview HD is a new HD DTH Free to Air satellite TV platform providing
81 channels - with 55 channels in HD including all digital terrestrial
TV channels. Freeview HD is the only FTA KU-Band platform in Thailand
providing Digital Terrestrial TV Channels in High Definition instantly
nationwide on top of quality content channels from Next Step. Seeing the
bigger picture is fundamental to us and thus we are very committed to
providing exceptional TV content in order to foster the communities and
culture of the people so they could raise their potential and achieve
great things. We believe that we can help Families in the middle class
gain more knowledge and experience and that this knowledge will help
contribute and develop their own wellbeing. This is essentially what
seeing the bigger picture means and that’s what Freeview HD stands for.
Freeview HD – Beyond. For more information, visit www.freeview.co.th
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151119006809/en/
Source: Intelsat
Intelsat
Michele Loguidice
Director, Investor Relations
& Corporate Communications
703-559-7372
Michele.loguidice@intelsat.com
